The Government has announced that all Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), including SEEDA, will close by 31 March 2012.
Responsibility for economic development and regeneration in England is being passed onto successor bodies, including Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and central Government departments
Our objective is to ensure a professional and cost effective closure by this date. We have pledged to work closely with our partners, contractors and stakeholders to ensure that the past and future economic benefits of key programmes and assets continue to deliver the greatest economic value for the South East and value for money for the taxpayer.
Please click here for more details about our closure plan, transition arrangements and successor organisations.
In action: Milton Keynes Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire: Key activities
Science Vale UK
- Harwell and Milton Park
Harwell sits within a growth area in the south of Oxfordshire known as Science Vale UK. SEEDA is working with UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) and the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) at Harwell; Milton Park a business park managed by MEPC and local authorities to agree a programme of activity to ensure the 5,000 estimated new jobs in this part of the area are realised and build on local hi-tech sector strengths, such as Bio Pharm, Space, Advanced Engineering. - Space Task Force
Space is a key sector strength of the MKOB area. SEEDA launched its report into the importance of the Space industry to the UK economy, The Case for Space: The Impact of Space Derived Services and Data in July 2009. The report shows the space industry’s value to the UK economy is set to double over the next decade from £6.5bn to £14.2billion a year. - Begbroke Science Park
Science is another key growth area for the South East economy and SEEDA has invested in the fit-out for Begbroke Centre for Innovation and Enterprise on Begbroke Science Park, Oxfordshire. The Begbroke Centre for Innovation and Enterprise offers both Oxford University spin-out companies and external high technology firms office space and access to cutting-edge laboratory facilities. The new centre gives companies the space to grow and helps them develop with a range of support services, including training in essential business skills.
BMW Mini-E
Environmental technologies are growth sectors key to building the regional economy. SEEDA was a member of the BMW-led consortium project to test the MINI-E, an entirely electric car. The project is part of the Technology Strategy Board's nationwide competition to devise ultra-low carbon vehicles. Other members of the consortium include Scottish and Southern Energy, Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council.
National Enterprise Academy
Buckinghamshire is known for its strength as an entrepreneurial county. SEEDA worked closely with the Peter Jones Foundation, Aylesbury Vale District Council and Buckinghamshire County Council to support the development of the first National Enterprise Academy. SEEDA funded the pilot stage of this initiative, which in its first full year is offering skills in enterprise.
Milton Keynes South Midlands (mksm) Growth Area
Milton Keynes South Midlands (mksm) is the largest and most successful growth area in the UK. It is made up of parts of three of the UK's best performing regions (the South East, the East and the East Midlands). The South East's Milton Keynes and Aylesbury Vale in Buckinghamshire form part of the mksm growth area – with a reference target of 192,000 jobs by 2021.
More information is available at the Milton Keynes South Midlands website.
Rural Programme
Within MKOB there are a number of Rural Programmes active:
- Rural Development Programme England
- Rural Access to Services Programme
- Leader +
- SEEDA's Market Towns programme
Oxford Castle
The Oxford Castle Heritage Project is an extremely sensitive mixed-use regeneration project that is a model example of preservation, restoration, new build and the effective re-use of brownfield land. The ancient monuments and listed buildings that are housed on the site have been restored and integrated with new buildings in the heart of Oxford.
Oxford West End
The Oxford West End project is an ambitious project that aims to regenerate the west of the city centre and return it to its former role as the civic heart of Oxford. The transformation aims to provide shops, restaurants and offices alongside homes, public squares, educational and leisure facilities.
For more information, please visit the Oxford West End website.
Related case study:
Begbroke Centre for Innovation and Enterprise
Related news:
Space sector set to double predicts SEEDA report
SEEDA celebrates National Enterprise Academy success
Ministers listen to business concerns in Milton Keynes
Related publications:
The Case for Space: The Impact of Space Derived Services and Data, July 2009
